Creating and inclusive society

The programme aims to enable people to get around, shop, bank and control their money independently; ensure that mainstream and specialist support services are available to people who require personal assistance to undertake these activities; and influence a step-change in the accessibility of services delivered by transport operators, retailers and banks. The legislative structure to provide equality of service, albeit with reasonable adjustments is in place - this area of work is begin making the re-orientation required to bring about changes to services that will give blind and partially sighted people parity in the retail, transport and financial environment. RNIB has four goals which we believe will help achieve this parity:

1. Most people are able to make journeys safely and independently
2. More people can shop independently and have personal control of their money
3. More people achieve independence through ICT and mobile technologies
4. More people can independently access books, magazines, newspapers, television and radio

Most people are able to make journeys safely and independently
Blind and partially sighted people face more challenges than most when trying to travel safely and independently. RNIB is working to create a more accessible transport landscape for blind and partially sighted people which would include friendlier and safer pedestrian environments, more usable and flexible travel assistance schemes, best practice transport operators who offer good customer service to blind and partially sighted travellers, better and more accessible transport services and the implementation of the higher rate of Disability Living Allowance (Mobility Component) for Blind people.

More people can shop independently and have personal control of their money

The retail environment is often inaccessible to blind and partially sighted people ranging from badly labelled products to poorly laid out stores that represent an obstacle course rather than a safe and enjoyable shopping environment. Financial services include banking services, financial services and payment systems.

More people achieve independence through ICT and mobile technologies

Using ICT and mobile phones has become a key skill for everyday living, as well as education and employment.
These technologies have the potential to be very empowering for blind and partially sighted people. Not just for younger people, but for older people often confined to home. We see mobile services further improving independence. But it is shocking that large numbers of blind and partially sighted people are unable to benefit because they may not be able to afford the substantial extra costs of special access technology or have the confidence, skills or support to use these services in a different way to friends or neighbours.

RNIB will campaign to fight for access to technology including phones (across major networks), GPS, location based services and media players. We will also encourage blind and partially sighted people to confidently and independently use technology in addition to accessing popular internet sites and services which are currently inaccessible and the availability of access techonology including magnifiers and computer software which is currently expensive and not easily available to blind and partially sighted people.

More people can independently access books, magazines, newspapers, television and radio
To enjoy and talk about books, special interests and TV is a key element of social inclusion. Research shows that watching television, listening to radio and reading are very high priorities for blind and partially sighted people. But less than 5% of titles are available in accessible formats, and more than half of blind and partially sighted people cannot tune their own radio. At the same time TV and radio are becoming much more complicated to use. We know audio description can transform television enjoyment but its availability is limited which in turn restricts programme choice and the individuals ability to plan what to watch and when. To achieve sustainable change we need to change the attitudes and practice of international media and technology businesses.

RNIB want to see more blind and partially sighted people accessing more and different forms of media from magazines and books through to television and radio. RNIB will be campaigning to secure 20% increase in the Audio Description of television for blind and partially sighted people, that the top 20 books in any given year are available in alternative formats such as large print, audio or braille and to see a change where magazines, newspapers and other popular publications are available in alternative formats.

"The briefings below outline some of the work we're doing in this campaign area"

Transport briefing

Lost and Found

Audio description campaign